iOS 18.6 brings bug fixes and security updates, and this article gives you the changes you need fast, no fluff. Want your iPhone to feel fresh? Start here.
These ten tweaks are quick, take under a minute each, and can make a big impact from smarter notifications to better privacy and personalization. Based on the Economic Times summary of CNET’s findings (The Economic Times).
1. Turn off Mail categories
Mail now auto sorts into tabs like Primary, Updates, Promotions. Tap the three dot menu and switch to “List View” if you prefer a single inbox and simple chronological view (The Economic Times).
2. Customize lock screen buttons
You’re not stuck with just Flashlight and Camera. In iOS 18.6, you can swap them for Wallet, Shazam, Airplane Mode or even remove them. Hold the lock screen, tap Customize, pick what works for you (The Economic Times).
3. Prioritize important notifications with AI
Apple Intelligence can now flag texts from friends or calendar invites, and smartly hide low-priority alerts. Go to Settings → Notifications → Prioritize to turn it on per app (The Economic Times).
4. Reprogram the Action Button (iPhone 15 Pro & newer)
This stands in for the mute switch but can now launch Camera, Shazam, control Apple TV, or any shortcut you choose. Settings → Action Button, then pick. Big time saver (The Economic Times).
5. Rearrange your home screen icons freely
You’re no longer limited to grid placement. Enter jiggle mode and move icons wherever let your wallpaper show, reorder your layout (The Economic Times).
6. Fix Photos bug for Memory sharing
iOS 18.6 resolves a glitch stopping memory movies from being shared in Photos. Now they work again so relive and send them without issue (Reddit, The Economic Times).
7. EU users: install apps outside the App Store
For users in Europe, iOS 18.6 now allows installation from alternate marketplaces or directly via web while keeping safety measures (Reddit, The Economic Times).
8. Improve battery life with simple settings
Some users noticed more battery drain after updating. Fix that by disabling haptics, turning off “Hey Siri,” limiting background app refresh, disabling Apple Intelligence if unused, and setting AirDrop to ‘Receiving Off’ (Cinco Días).
Reddit users say performance and battery are improved:
“iOS 18.6 has had by far the best battery life and the smoothest performance in the last couple years!” (Reddit).
9. General polish and stability
While not detailed here, iOS 18.6 delivers smoother animations, faster app opens, and overall better stability on older devices like iPhone 13 reports say it’s noticeably snappier, even post-update activity (Reddit, WIRED).
10. Extra tweak: speed up older iPhones
Smaller tweak from Wired: set Haptic Touch duration to “Fast” in Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Haptic Touch. It’s free and can make older iPhones feel quicker (The Sun).
Summary
These 10 settings let your iPhone truly feel fresh again under iOS 18.6 from mail view to battery life, privacy, notifications, and app placement. Tweak one or all, your phone will feel brand new.
